48 Hours In Queenstown

48 Hours In Queenstown

Follow Flight Centre consultant Greer Gardiner as she samples the best Queenstown has to offer, as seen on The 48 Hour Destination TV series. The catch? She only has 48 hours to experience it all. Here’s her action-packed Queenstown itinerary to whet your wanderlust.

Award-winning local cuisine is the order of the day at Rata.

Day 1

5pm Rata

After touching down in Queenstown, Greer and Flight Centre NZ consultant Catriona McCormack enjoy a sumptuous meal paired with local wine at Rata, an award-winning restaurant helmed by Michelin-starred chef Josh Emet. Restaurateur Fleur Caulton hosts, introducing Rata’s philosophy of relaxed eating that is inspired by the South Island landscape and local produce of New Zealand.

7pm Blue Kanu

Blending Polynesian vibes and Asian style, Blue Kanu is the perfect spot for an evening cocktail or two in Queenstown. The duo settle in to the tiki-themed bar where Cat reveals that a surprise awaits Greer tomorrow.

Greer and Cat get a sky-high view of Queenstown on a thrilling helicopter ride.

Day 2

6am Helicopter ride

A surprise is in store for Greer, which turns out to be a helicopter ride with Over The Top The Helicopter Company. A pilot whisks Greer and Catriona up and away and the duo experience panoramic views of the stunning Southern Alps, taking in the breathtaking Fiordland National Park. Landing on a glacier and enjoying the vista with a glass of bubbly is a definite highlight!

11am Fergburger

After an adventurous morning, it’s time to refuel at Queenstown’s famous Fergburger. The popular eatery is well known for the queues of people lining up to sample their gourmet burgers – an mandatory stop on any Queenstown itinerary!

1pm Skyline Queenstown

Greer and Catriona ride the iconic Gondola up Bob’s Peak for some panoramic selfies, before descending the mountain in a most unique way – on the Skyline Luge. The thrilling, twisting track is one of the top things to do in Queenstown.

Shoot and snap. Learn the basics of landscape photography on a guided tour in this stunning region.

2pm Queenstown Photography Tours

For a personal souvenir, you can’t go past an amazing photo that captures the unique beauty of Queenstown that you’ve taken yourself. Greer and Catriona get some pointers on how to take amazing images on a photography tour that arguably has one of the world’s best backdrops to work with at Skippers Canyon.

Swirl, sip and savour at Wet Jacket Winery.

5pm Wet Jacket Winery

No visit to New Zealand would be complete without a visit to a winery, and the duo’s last destination of the day is Wet Jacket Winery. Greer and Catriona take a guided walk through the vineyards at sunset before heading to the historic and atmospheric Woolshed to sample some of the drops around a crackling fireplace.

Day 3

7am Lakeshore, Forest & Bird Guided Walk

It’s an early start today as Greer and Catriona head out with a hiking guide to explore the flora and fauna around the lakeshore. Spotting local wildlife, the duo practises their newfound photography skills and soak up the serene surrounds.

It's thrills galore on the white-knuckle ride that is the Shotover Jet – a Queenstown must-do!

11am Shotover Jet

After a leisurely start to the day, it’s time to board the Shotover Jet – another must-do in Queenstown. Greer and Catriona don their lifejackets for a white-knuckle whitewater ride at 85kph through the narrow twists and turns of the Shotover Canyon ably steered by a professional skipper.

12pm Queenstown Paragliding

The adrenaline rush doesn’t end there for Greer – next up, she and Catriona take turns at paragliding with an instructor, soaring over Queenstown for a real bird’s –eye view from above.

3pm Farm visit

Now that her whirlwind trip has come to an end, Greer and Catriona take a final stroll together amid quintessential New Zealand scenery ­– complete with sheep – and reflect on their 48-hour travel experience in Queenstown.

All images: Flight Centre

Watch the full episode of 48 Hours in Queenstown on Sunday at 3:30pm on Channel Ten or stream on tenplay.com.au. For more information, visit www.flightcentre.com.au/48hour

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